Lack of password security at Telecom NZ?

I had to change the password for Telecom NZ’s “mbbmeter” application for a prepaid data SIM card the other day. I wanted to create and set a secure password, some mix of latin characters, numbers and special characters.

Look at the screenshot below: It didn’t let me. It didn’t allow “symbols” – which means: special characters such as ! ; , & $ . etc. It’s actually a shame because these types of password “requirements” lead to bad and insecure passwords that can and will easily be hacked. BTW: Telecom NZ’s site here is just the tip of the iceberg – there are lots of other sites/vendors around there that would have the same or worse restrictions.